Method and apparatus for treating filamentary material



Jan. 14, 1964 LA VERDO J. FOX 3,117,888

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL Filed Jan. 18, 1960 INVENTOR. LAvcRuo I Fox llit tates Green, signer to .iohnsration, Raw York, Nfsi, a corporation t3, Ser- No. 2,933 iaims. (5i. li7-ll2) This invention relates generally to method and apparatus for treating filamentary material. More particularly, the invention pertains to novel apparatus for recovering excess treating material from a primary applicator employed to apply treating material to a moving filament and reapplying such excess treating material to the filament. The invention is further related to method and apparatus for treating filamentary material with treating liquid in a novel manner whereby the amount of treating liquid required to insure complete coverage is substantially reduced. The invention is still further related to method and apparatus for applying liquid materials to the surfaces of a plurality of filaments as they are being converged into a single strand, recovering excess liquid material applied at the point of convergence and subsequently reapplying the recovered excess liquid material to the surface of the formed strand.

This invention finds particular utility and will be described herein with reference to the coating of a glass fiber strand produced by grouping or converging continuous filaments that are drawn and attenuated to extremely fine diameters. However, it is to be understood that the invention may also be employed with other processes wherever filaments or strands are treated.

in forming continuous strands from finely drawn filaments by collecting the filaments at a guide, the common practice is to provide the guide with an applicator for evenly coating the suriace of the filaments with a liquid, such as a lubricant, size or hinder. The filaments are converged and grouped together to form a strand as they pass over the guide, and are simultaneously coated with the liquid to prevent the filaments within the strand from ahrading each other, and/ or to give mass integrity to the group or" filaments in strand form thereby preventing loss either from fraying or breaking away from the strand.

in applying the liquid material to the strand, the guide may be provided with a pad of felt, or other adsorbent mate-rial, which is saturated with the coating liquid and which serves to distribute the coating liquid on the suroi the filaments as they pass thereover. in order to assure complete coverage of tr e filaments it is necessary to apply an excess or" the coating liquid. When the characteristics of the coating liquid Warrants and/or it is economically iea e the excess coating liquid may be recovered by providing a suitable recovery vessel adjacent to the guide. The usual practice, however, has been to dispense with a recovery system.

In the above mentioned process, capillarity of the treating or coating liquid between grouped filaments has een relied upon to treat the individual filaments. Such treatment at best is haphazard since some of the fibers, those in the center or" the strand and opposite to the area of application, are not positively wiped by the applicator. it has also been found that much or the treating material is lost due to the splattering. Splattering of the material occurs at the point where the strand leaves the guide. Where an attempt has been made to reduce the losses of excess treating material due to evaporation or splattering by reducing the amount of liquid applied to the guide, incomplete and non-uniform saturation of the applicator results with concomitant poor distribution of the treating material on the strand.

Other processes have suggested the recovery of excess treating liquid in a recovery vessel from whence the liquid is recycled to the original point of application; none have suggested reapplying the recovered liquid at a point other than the initial point of application. Thus, in such proc esses there is no assurance that the treating of the work will be more positive or complete than in those in which t iere is no treating liquid recovery.

Another disadvantage with such prior recycling processes is that they may not be effectively employed to recoverable air hardenable treating liquid, since such liquids have a tendency to harden or gel in the recovery vessel.

in order to insure positive contact of the strand with the adsorbent pad, it has been necessary to bring the strand into surface contact with the pad over an extended are or area. Such engagement results in increased pressure and abrasion or" the strand.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to overcome the aforementioned diificulties and disadvantages by providing a novel method and apparatus for recovering excess treating material which utilize a reapplicator positioned to recover the material om the initial point of application and reapply it at a dirrerent point.

Another object of this invention is to provide method and apparatus w'..ch insure distribution of treating material throughout a composite strand.

A further object is to provide a primary applicator and a reapplicator having a relationship which reduces splatter.

A still further object of this invention is to provide mounting means for adjustably positioning the reapplicator head to facilitate threading of the filaments into engagement with the primary applicator.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a species thereof, and t'rom the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the treating apparatus oi flnis invention shovm in association with a filament forming and drawing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of cater and the associated reapplicator;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of apparatus of 2;

1G. 4 is a front elevational view of h e apparatus of 11G. 2; and

PEG. 5 is a View similar to 2, illustrat ng an alternate embodiment of the reapphoator.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus is adapted to operate in conjunction with a filament gathering device of the adsorbent pad type. in accordance with the invention, the treating flowing from the primary applicator is reapplied to the strand to a point immediately subjacent to mitial point of application. The reapplicator is positionaoly adjustable to facilitate rethreading or the strand into tangential contact with the primary applicator. Initially, the adsorbent pad of the reapplicator is saturated with treating material and maintains its saturatthe primary applied condition by excess treating material gravitationallyfiow-ing from the primary applicator.

Since the strand forming operation is conducted by drawin g the filaments at velocities in exwss of 19,095 per minute, it will be readily aparent that a substanial friction or abrasive force is created by the adsorbent pad and the filaments as the filaments pass over the pad. Consequentl in actual production, the adsorbent pads tend to wear rapidly and require frequent replacement resulting in a substantial loss of production.

in prior filament wiping apparatus which employed a single pad positioned on one side of a moving strand, the moving filament caused a downward flow of air which impinged the pad with a force causing splattering and loss of the treating liquid.

In the present apparatus, however, the relative position and arrangement of the wiping members tend to enhance contact of the moving filament and to deter loss of the treating liquid. Hence, the required initial volume of treating liquid may be substantially reduced. The aerodynamic condition created by the moving filament and the circumposing relationship of the wiping members about the filament tend to create a flooding area intermediate of the wiping members. Consequently, the passage of the strand through the flooded area insures contact of the strand with the treating material.

in the present invention the area of contact with the primary applicator may be reduced and yet positive distribution of the treating material upon the filament or strand insured by the novel arrangement of the applicator and reapplicator which are positioned on opposite sides of the filament or strand to Wipe the strand at least twice during its path of travel. Furthermore, because there is less material wasted, the requirements are less.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the apparatus fllustrated therein, by way of example, for mechanically drawing and attenuating molten glass in the form of continuous filaments includes a container or bushing 15 having a plurality of apertures or orifices in the bottom thereof through which molten glass flows by gravity or is exuded and subsequently attenuated into fine glass filaments 17 by means of a winding spindle 19 on which the filaments are wound into a package with the aid of a suitable traverser 21. The filaments 17 formed from the streams of molten glass are drawn downwardly at high speed and are converged into a strand 1% by the action of the filament gathering device 23 positioned at a first treating zone. While the filaments 17 are being gathered into a strand, they are simultaneously sprayed with an excess of a suitable sizing or lubricant liquid from nozzle 14, which is attached to a suitable source of liquid supply (not shown).

The filament gathering device 23 comprises an annular body portion 24 the periphery of which is shown to be curved in the direction of the path of the advancing filaments and to be provided with a V-shaped groove 25 for receiving the filament wiping member 26 which may be in the form of an adsorbent pad.

The body portion 24 is also provided with an axial hole 27 for receiving the support rod 28 which is attached to base member 30.

Formed in the bottom of the V-shaped groove 25 and disposed perpendicularly to the circular faces of the body portion is a pin 31. The pin 31 may be fixedly secured in an opening in body portion 24 by means of a set screw not shown.

The wiping member 26 comprises a pad of felt or other suitable moisture adsorbent material which is adapted to fit into the groove 25 and is carried by the body portion 24. This pad consists of a single length of material and in practice, one end thereof is forced over the outer end of the pin 31 after which the material is pulled tightly around the body portion 2 and the free end thereof then forced on the pin 31.

In operation, the fiber gathering device 23 is normally secured in a fixed position so that a relatively small area of the surface is contacted by the filament 17 as they are drawn thereover. When this area becomes worn the Wingnut 32 can be loosened and the body portion can be turned to present an unworn portion of the pad 26 to the filaments. This can be repeated until the entire pad surface is used. When the pad has become so worn it may be replaced by simply pulling the old one off and placing a new one as is desired hereinabove.

The excess material applied to the pad at the first treating zone is recovered by the reapplicator head at a second treating zone indicated generally by the numeral 40. The reapplicator comprises a body portion '41 which may be in the form of a cylinder, with its peripheral surface curved in the direction of the path of the advancing filaments,

4 mounted upon carriage member 43 which in turn is movably mounted to base member 34 for advancement and retraction to and from the working position to facilitate rethreading of the filaments, in event of breakage.

The body portion 41 may be provided with side flange members 45 and 47 to define a recess for receiving filamerit wtip'ing member 49 which may be similar to wiping member 26. Alternatively, the wiping member 49 may be secured at one end, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and the other end left freely hanging in the path of the advancing filament. The body portion of the reapplicator may also take the form of a semi-cylinder 59 having side flanges similar to flanges 45 and 47'. The flange members 45 and 47 also serve as bafiles to restrain splattering of treating material as it falls from the applicator of the first zone to the reapplicator of the second zone when the reapplicator is in the advanced or contacting position.

In addition to the bafiling effect, another advantage that accrues from positioning the reapplicator 4% immediately subjacent to the initial or primary applicator 23 is that the material is reapplied before it has had an opportunity to solidify. Hence, treating materials which heretofore could not be recycled may be reapplied to effect a substantial savings.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, but that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A process for applying liquid material to a plurality of advancing continuous filaments, which comprises:

(a) simultaneously converging said filaments and treating them with an excess of liquid at a circular face of a first applicator, curved in the direction of the path of the advancing filaments;

(b) advancing the formed strand downwardly to a second applicator;

(c) collecting at a circular face of said second applicator, curved in the direction of the path of the advancing filaments, an excess of said liquid delivered to and dripping from said first applicator; and

(d) immediately wiping the formed strand with the collected said excess liquid as said strand is advanced in contact with said circular face of said second applicator.

2. The process as described in claim 1 wherein said collected excess liquid is reapplied at said second applicator to a surface of said strand diametrically opposed to that which the liquid is applied at said first applicator.

3. Apparatus for applying treating material to a plurality of continuous filaments comprising, in combination:

(a) a supply of treating liquid;

([2) a first applicator and filament converging member mounted free of immersion in but receiving liquid from said supply,

(c) said first applicator and filament converging member contacting said filaments as they are advanced in a path to supply said liquid and to converge said filaments into a strand; and

(d) a second applicator member mounted subjacent to said first applicator member and receiving an excess of said liquid after delivery to and as it drips from said first applicator member,

(e) said second applicator member contacting and wiping the formed strand on an opposite side of said path, as the strand advances downwardly, with said excess of liquid.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said first applicator and converging member is annular in form and is provided with a V-groove and further comprising an adsorbent pad received in said V-groove.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said second applicator is provided with side flanges forming bailies to restrain splattering of the treating liquid as it drips from said first applicator and converging member to said second applicator member.

6. Apparatus for applying treating liquid to a plurality of continuous filaments as they are advanced in a downward path comprising, in combination:

(a) a supply of treating liquid;

([1) a base member;

(0) a first applicator and filament converging member mounted to said base member, free of immersion in said supply,

(d) a first Wiping member removably carried by said first applicator member and receiving liquid from said supply,

(e) said first wiping member contacting said filaments as they are advanced;

(f) a second applicator member subjacent to said first applicator member and being free of immersion at said supply;

(g) a second Wiping member being removably carried by said second applicator member;

(/2) said second Wiping member receiving an excess of said liquid delivered to and dripping from said first Wiping member; and

(i) carriage means movably mounted on said base member,

(j) said second applicator member being mounted on said carriage means for advance movement toward said strand to position said second Wiping member into contact with said strand.

7. The apparatus described in claim 6, wherein said second applicator member is shaped and arranged to effect contact of said second Wiping member With said filaments in a zone horizontally and vertically displaced from the zone in which said first wiping member is in contact with said filaments.

8. The apparatus described in claim 6, wherein said second Wiping member has an end removably secured to said second applicator member and an opposing end hanging freely in the path of the moving filaments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,561,445 Elsaesser et a1 Nov. 10, 1925 2,272,588 Simison Feb. 10, 1942 2,398,034 Organowski Apr. 9, 1946 2,694,661 Meyer Nov. 16, 1954 2,728,972 Drummond et al. Ian. 3, 1956 2,744,563 Mennerich May 8, 1956 2,762,330 \Vhitehead Sept. 11, 1956 2,867,891 Horton et al. Jan. 13, 1959 2,868,159 Lit et al. Ian. 13, 1959 2,881,732 Chrystman Apr. 14, 1959 2,910,383 Miller et al. Oct. 27, 1959 2,914,419 Organowski Nov. 24, 1959 2,940,886 Nachtman June 14, 1960 2,943,598 Newton July 5, 1960 2,960,062 Martuch Nov. 14, 1960 2,963,739 Whitehurst et al Dec. 13, 1960 2,972,370 Walbolt Feb. 21, 1961 2,976,177 Warthen Mar. 21, 1961 2,982,001 OShields May 2, 1961 2,986,116 Zerwes May 30, 1961 2,992,626 Kabelitz July 18, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 755,719 Great Britain Aug. 22, 1956 763,471 Great Britain Dec. 12, 1956 526,044 Canada June 12, 1956 535,963 Italy Nov. 19, 1955 

1. A PROCESS FOR APPLYING LIQUID MATERIAL TO A PLURALITY OF ADVANCING CONTINUOUS FILAMENTS, WHICH COMPRISES: (A) SIMULTANEOUSLY CONVERGING SAID FILAMENTS AND TREATING THEM WITH AN EXCESS OF LIQUID AT A CIRCULAR FACE OF A FIRST APPLICATOR, CURVED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE PATH OF THE ADVANCING FILAMENTS; (B) ADVANCING THE FORMED STRAND DOWNWARDLY TO A SECOND APPLICATOR; 